I don’t even know how to begin with describing this hike… amazing? Too generic. I don’t know. Hang in there with me.
I had the opportunity to do this one with a new friend a couple of years ago, and didn’t. Talk about regrets. I should have. There was no pandemic and far less people on the trail. I was fearful… I was tired from a poor night’s sleep… I was embarrassed because I’d probably be huffing and puffing the whole way up. Cut to a week or so ago, when I was back and facing the same trail. I hadn’t slept well again, but was not fearful or afraid of judgment this time. I am in a MUCH better headspace about the outdoors now than I ever was and I we had a sunny, late summer day to do the Skyline Trail.
Jen and I had already spent many days together - hiking through the Olympic area and North Cascades area. We were ready for another big one and this trail fulfilled so much it was overwhelming in the best way. You start on a paved path up, and I mean UP. It was pretty crowded for the circumstances, as was the visitor center, but we were not giving up. We had masks, liters of water, snacks, and sunglasses. Onward we moved, or upward rather, until we hit the end of the pavement. From there, it is dirt with a few snowy patches. We kept climbing - up up up up up. We hit a mile, it was the slowest mile I’ve ever walked but who the hell cares? The views were beyond my comprehension. Each time we stopped to catch our breath or take a drink, we had a new view of the same thing. It was incredible. The path was lined with wildflowers until it was too rocky, and eventually we made it to the top of this particular trail. You could see Mt. Adams in the distance and it looked spectacular.
We began the descent, which led us over some rocky areas and into a set of switchbacks through a mountain meadow. I can not even begin to describe the smell of that meadow - honey sweet but also fresh? It was the best smelling meadow I’ve ever experienced - thanks to all the glorious wildflowers and grasses. The way down was the other half of the loop and offered even better views of the ones we thought we loved going up. Eventually, we made it back to a paved path and the visitor center. I don’t know if we processed the experience - I know I am still sitting here daydreaming about it and reliving every moment of it.
We drove through the park, towards the Stevens Canyon exit, and stopped at a shaded turnout for lunch. We didn’t have a view of Mt. Rainier, but I could still see it in my mind as if I could reach out and touch it. What a wild and amazing time on a trail that really wasn’t the worst thing in the world - just made us huff and puff a little. Honestly, I’d recommend this to anyone. The diversity on the trail - people of all walks of life were doing it and enjoying it.
Lesson: Always do the trail; you may not get a second chance like I did.
Distance: 5.44 miles, 1600-1700 ft of elevation change
Highlights: sweet smelling meadows, great views of things other than Rainier, and snow packs
Watch out for: the edge, slippery snow packs or melt, the crowds (you’ll want to take your time and just kinda either flow with or wait for large groups to pass)
